From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Private school owners have disclosed plans to hike school fees and other services in the next academic session.
Under the umbrella of National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), they informed parents and guardians of possibilities of some schools dropping their school bus services, and asking parents to rely on other means of transporting their wards to schools.
Its President, Chief Abayomi Otubela, stated this, yesterday, at the groundbreaking ceremony of NAPPS National Secretariat, Conference Centre and Apartment, in Bwari, Abuja.
He said the measures were in response to unfriendly economic realities of the country, particularly the recent fuel subsidy removal, which has seen an increase in cost of goods and services.
“Undoubtedly, this is a challenging times for all, touching every sector of the economy, private schools not exempted. In response to these challenges, we came together as an association, reasoned and sought the contributions of experts regarding the situation. We realized that we need to tighten our belt in order to remain afloat.
“We decided that there was need to reduce some activities that are not directly necessary to academic activities to reduce cost. We also agreed that only core curricular activities that can make immediate impact that we would focus on. It was also agreed that some of our social activities that involve financial expenses would be reduced, while we consider the suggestions to get staff quarters within the school environment to reduce transportation cost of teachers and other staff.”
Otubela said that increase in teachers’ salary and other staff was inevitable, but cannot be implemented without a corresponding increase in school fees and other services. He said parents and guardians should be prepare to pay more.
“Surely, parents would feel the impact of this decision. Many of our member-schools have parked their school buses because of the huge cost of running them. Besides, it was never profitable. Parents would have to choose hostel facilities or find other means of bringing their children to school. But we are also looking at a support from government to secure a loan at a single digit interest. We have suggested the establishment of education bank where government can make funds available for investors in education sector to develop themselves and facilities.
“Grants are also essential at this time. They are necessary for both teachers in private and public schools. We also discuss the idea of ‘rent to own’ facility where government will purchase vehicles for schools to convey children, while the benefitting schools offset the cost within a number of years before owning it.”
The NAPPS President also suggested that government provide empowerment opportunities for teachers in private schools because they teach and train Nigerian children who would be useful to Nigeria and not other countries.
He said private schools need support, financially and otherwise.
“Unknowingly to many people, many of the private schools are running on losses, while many are running as charity organizations.”
Chairman, NAPPS’s Board of Trustee, Dr. Said Mijinyawa, in his speech, said it was a thing of joy and pride for NAPPS to commence the construction of its national secretariat in Abuja.
He urged all members to take ownership of the project through their financial donations, thereby, redeeming the true enviable face of NAPPS among notable associations as NLC, NUT, TUC, NBA.
“The goal of having this befitting national secretariat has faced hurdles due to both internal and external factors. However, we are determined to achieve result, hence we should work hand-in-hand to support the national building project to ensure that our National Secretariat building, our national pride, becomes a reality.”
He explained that the aim of the new secretariat is to give NAPPS the needed identity required to strengthen the association.